Subic Bay Metropolitan Authority (SBMA) Chairman Martin Diño revealed that the Philippines first-ever "bullet train" would be built between Subic in Zambales and Clark in Pampanga by a Chinese firm through a Public-Private Partnership Program (PPPP).

Once the bullet train project will be materialize under the administration of Pres. Rody Duterte, the Philippines may soon join the ranks of Japan, South Korea, and Taiwan among Asian countries with the world-renowned high-speed rail system or the bullet train system.

The good news to the Filipino people was announced by SBMA Chairman Martin Diño during the sidelines of an inquiry by the House Transportation Committee. According to the SBMA chairman the bullet train project linking Clark and Subic will be carried out through a Public Partnership Program by a Chinese firm whom the SBMA Chairman did not name.

The SBMA also revealed that the discussions of the country's first ever bullet train project would be part of Pres. Rody Duterte's state visit to China this coming October 18 to 21, 2016. The Clark-Subic bullet train project is among the topics the Philippine President will discuss with his Chinese counterparts when he visits China next week.

Clark-Subic Highway (Photo Credit: Rappler)

High-speed bullet trains are quite popular in Japan and South Korea, the trains ussually operate at speeds of around 200 km per hour, in Japan on the other hand, their famous bullet trains the Shinkansen can run at maximum speeds of more than 300 kph.

Compared to the Philippines the trains of the Metro Rail Transit (MRT), Light Rail Transit, and the Philippine National Railways (PNR) run at an average speed of 40 kph.

During the campaign period Pres. Duterte promised to do his best to solve the traffic problems in Metro Manila and one way of decongesting traffic in Metro Manila is to create other mega-cities outside of Metro Manila, linking Subic and Clark is one way of creating mega-cities outside Metro Manila.